Page 105 - Petelin, Ana. 2021. Ed. Zdravje starostnikov / Health of the Elderly. Proceedings. Koper: University of Primorska Press.
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ting information search revealed that the female gender was the only signif- is the ict use for health purposes in slovenia linked to better health? 103
icant predictor impacting the frequency of health information search.
Based on our results research, we can conclude that it is important to
raise awareness of decision-makers and the public about the importance of ac-
cess to the Internet, about the resources needed to search for health-related in-
formation online or via apps and to inform decision-makers on demographic
and other factors contributing to inequalities in ICT use for health purposes.
It is also necessary to be aware that ICT use can contribute to improving the
health of the Slovenian population and access to health services. On the oth-
er hand, better health can also help (enable) an individual to more easily ac-
cess and efficiently use ICT for health information proposes. In any case, fu-
ture research is needed to examine the causal effect of ICT use and the use of
health information on personal and public health. At the same time, research-
ers should examine whether the (potential) positive effects hold mainly for par-
ticular dimensions of health (e.g., physical symptoms, mental health) or over-
all health.
Strengthening intergenerational cooperation, e.g. through various pro-
grams, where young people would share their ICT knowledge with the elder-
ly, while the latter could share their life experiences and knowledge with young
people, could also encourage improvements in the health of both age groups.
Conclusions
We can conclude that the development and use of ICT in health information
and healthcare services has played an important role in healthcare in recent
years. Evidence suggests it may contribute to better health, including for more
vulnerable groups. Proposals for strengthening the access to information with
the possibilities and potential offered by ICT in the area of health promotion
include informing the public in various popular media outlets, but also by per-
sonal physicians and other health professionals, for example, by health workers
in reference clinics. In this way, older and other more vulnerable groups could
be informed in more detail about how the use of ICT can improve their access
to healthcare services and help maintain and enhance patients’ health, and po-
tentially even prevent disease.
References
ANDREASSEN, H. K., BUJNOWSKA-FEDAK, M. M., CHRONAKI, C. E.,
DUMITRU, R. C., PUDULE, I., SANTANA, S., VOSS, H., & WYNN, R.
(2007). European citizens’ use of e-health services: A study of seven coun-
tries. BMC Public Health, 7(1), 53. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-7-53
BAKER, L., WAGNER, T. H., SINGER, S., & BUNDORF, M. K. (2003). Use
of the internet and e-mail for health care information: Results from a
national survey. JAMA, 289(18), 2400–2406. https://doi.org/10.1001/ja-
ma.289.18.2400
icant predictor impacting the frequency of health information search.
Based on our results research, we can conclude that it is important to
raise awareness of decision-makers and the public about the importance of ac-
cess to the Internet, about the resources needed to search for health-related in-
formation online or via apps and to inform decision-makers on demographic
and other factors contributing to inequalities in ICT use for health purposes.
It is also necessary to be aware that ICT use can contribute to improving the
health of the Slovenian population and access to health services. On the oth-
er hand, better health can also help (enable) an individual to more easily ac-
cess and efficiently use ICT for health information proposes. In any case, fu-
ture research is needed to examine the causal effect of ICT use and the use of
health information on personal and public health. At the same time, research-
ers should examine whether the (potential) positive effects hold mainly for par-
ticular dimensions of health (e.g., physical symptoms, mental health) or over-
all health.
Strengthening intergenerational cooperation, e.g. through various pro-
grams, where young people would share their ICT knowledge with the elder-
ly, while the latter could share their life experiences and knowledge with young
people, could also encourage improvements in the health of both age groups.
Conclusions
We can conclude that the development and use of ICT in health information
and healthcare services has played an important role in healthcare in recent
years. Evidence suggests it may contribute to better health, including for more
vulnerable groups. Proposals for strengthening the access to information with
the possibilities and potential offered by ICT in the area of health promotion
include informing the public in various popular media outlets, but also by per-
sonal physicians and other health professionals, for example, by health workers
in reference clinics. In this way, older and other more vulnerable groups could
be informed in more detail about how the use of ICT can improve their access
to healthcare services and help maintain and enhance patients’ health, and po-
tentially even prevent disease.
References
ANDREASSEN, H. K., BUJNOWSKA-FEDAK, M. M., CHRONAKI, C. E.,
DUMITRU, R. C., PUDULE, I., SANTANA, S., VOSS, H., & WYNN, R.
(2007). European citizens’ use of e-health services: A study of seven coun-
tries. BMC Public Health, 7(1), 53. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-7-53
BAKER, L., WAGNER, T. H., SINGER, S., & BUNDORF, M. K. (2003). Use
of the internet and e-mail for health care information: Results from a
national survey. JAMA, 289(18), 2400–2406. https://doi.org/10.1001/ja-
ma.289.18.2400
